Verb Complements

Verb complements are very useful tools for enriching the sentences we construct in Spanish.

They help us complete the meaning of verbs and add important information to understand the message clearly. In this article, you will learn what verb complements are, the different types that exist, how to identify them, and how to use them correctly.

Let’s get started!

What are verb complements?

Verb complements are words or groups of words that accompany the verb to complete or specify its meaning. Some verbs need mandatory complements (called transitive verbs), while others can function without them (intransitive verbs). Examples:

• Without complement: El niño come. (The boy eats.)
• With complement: El niño come una manzana. (The boy eats an apple.)

In this case, "una manzana" (an apple) is a complement that answers the question of what does the boy eat? Although the verb makes sense by itself in the first sentence, the complement allows us to provide more information and be specific.

Transitive and Intransitive Verbs

Before diving deeper into verb complements, it is important to understand the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs, as they determine whether the verb in our sentence needs complements to make sense or not.

Transitive Verbs

Transitive verbs are those that do need a direct complement to complete their meaning, as they tend to leave an incomplete idea and cause confusion if left alone. Examples:

• Vi (I saw [What did you see? Perhaps a movie or a person.])
• Nosotros llevamos. (We carry [What do we carry? Perhaps backpacks or books.])
• Yo guardé (I kept [What did you keep? Perhaps a letter or a jacket.])
• Ella compra. (She buys [What does she buy? Perhaps fruit or clothes.])
• Llamé. (I called [Who did you call? Perhaps the office or a friend.])

Intransitive Verbs

Intransitive verbs do not need direct complements to have a complete meaning. While we can add complements to provide more context, the action described is sufficient to understand the sentence on its own. Examples:

• Yo corrí. (I ran.)
• Los pájaros vuelan. (The birds fly.)
• Nosotros dormimos. (We sleep.)
• Tu planta creció. (Your plant grew.)
• Las niñas cantan. (The girls sing.)

Now, without further ado, let’s look at the types of verb complements that exist in Spanish.

Types of Verb Complements

Verb complements are classified into different types according to the function they serve in the sentence. Below, we will see each type with some examples to help you understand them better.

Direct Complement (CD)

The direct complement indicates the thing or person that directly receives the action of the verb. You can easily identify it because it answers the questions what? or to whom?. Another tip is that the direct complement can also be replaced by "lo," "la," "los," or "las." (It, her, them (masculine), them" feminine)). Examples:

• Comiste tacos. (You ate (What did you eat?) tacos.)
• Invité a mi amiga. (I invited (Whom did I invite?) my friend.)
• Leí esa novela. (I read (What did I read?) that novel.)
• Vimos a nuestros primos. (We saw (Whom did we see?) our cousins.)
• Bebieron café. (They drank (What did they drink?) coffee.)

Indirect Complement (CI)

The indirect complement indicates to whom the action affects (for better or worse). It answers the questions to whom? or for whom? And you could replace it with "le" or "les."(Him/her, them (plural)) Examples:

• Envié un paquete a Casandra. (I sent a package (To whom?) to Casandra. )
• Compré un regalo para mi abuelo. (I bought a gift (For whom?) for my grandfather.)
• Escribieron un poema a sus madres. (They wrote a poem (To whom?) to their mothers.)
• Fue una sorpresa para tus amigos. (It was a surprise (For whom?) for your friends.)
• Traje flores para ti. (I brought flowers (For whom?) for you.)

Circumstantial Complement (CC)

Circumstantial complements add additional information about the action of the verb, indicating where, when, how, why, for what purpose, with whom, or with what the action occurs. They can also indicate certainties, negations, or uncertainties. 
Let’s analyze each type of circumstantial complement:

1. Circumstantial Complement of Place (CCL)

Indicates where the action occurs. Examples:

• Vivimos en Costa Rica. (We live in Costa Rica.)
• Dejé mi celular sobre la mesa. (I left my phone on the table.)
• Mis amigos y yo corremos en el parque. (My friends and I run in the park.)

2. Circumstantial Complement of Time (CCT)

Indicates when the action occurs. Examples:

• Te veo mañana. (I will see you tomorrow.)
• Ella llegó a casa a las siete de la noche. (She arrived home at seven in the evening.)
• Nosotros fuimos al estadio ayer. (We went to the stadium yesterday.)

3. Circumstantial Complement of Manner (CCM)

Indicates how the action is performed. Examples:

• La maestra cantó con alegría. (The teacher sang with joy.)
• Javier conduce rápidamente. (Javier drives quickly.)
• Deberíamos hablar en voz baja. (We should speak in a low voice.)

4. Circumstantial Complement of Cause (CCC)

Indicates why the action occurs. Examples:

• No pudimos jugar básquetbol por la lluvia. (We couldn’t play basketball because of the rain.)
• Llegué tarde porque había mucho tráfico. (I arrived late because there was a lot of traffic.)
• No asistió a la reunión por problemas personales. (He/She did not attend the meeting due to personal issues.)

5. Circumstantial Complement of Purpose (CCF)

Indicates for what purpose the action occurs. Examples:

• Estudio español para mudarme a México. (I study Spanish to move to Mexico.)
• Ustedes compraron los globos para la fiesta. (You all bought the balloons for the party.)
• Llevó a su hijo al zoológico para ver a los animales. (He/She took his son to the zoo to see the animals.)

6. Circumstantial Complement of Company (CCCo)

Indicates with whom the action is performed. Examples:

• Fui a Acapulco con mis amigos. (I went to Acapulco with my friends.)
• Ella salió con su novio. (She went out with her boyfriend.)
• Jugamos voleibol con toda la familia. (We played volleyball with the whole family.)

7. Circumstantial Complement of Instrument (CCI)

Indicates with what the action is performed. Examples:

• Abrimos la puerta con la llave. (We opened the door with the key.)
• Pinté este cuadro con acuarelas. (I painted this picture with watercolors.)
• Ese platillo se prepara con azúcar y canela. (That dish is prepared with sugar and cinnamon.)

8. Circumstantial Complement of Quantity (CCCn)

Indicates how much or the quantity of something. Examples:

• Estudié mucho para este examen. (I studied a lot for this exam.)
• Él corrió cinco kilómetros. (He ran five kilometers.)
• Comieron bastante durante la comida. (They ate quite a bit during lunch.)

9. Circumstantial Complement of Affirmation (CCAf)

Indicates certainty or confirms the action. Examples:

• Sí, quiero flan de postre. (Yes, I want flan for dessert.)
• Ella ciertamente lo sabía. (She certainly knew it.)
• Desde luego, él está en lo correcto. (Of course, he is right.)

10. Circumstantial Complement of Negation (CCN)

Indicates negation or rejection. Examples:

• No iremos a nadar hoy. (We won’t go swimming today.)
• Él nunca dice la verdad. (He never tells the truth.)
• Jamás volveré a ese restaurante. (I will never go back to that restaurant.)

11. Circumstantial Complement of Doubt (CCD)

Indicates uncertainty or possibility. Examples:

• Quizá salga más tarde. (Maybe I will go out later.)
• Tal vez compraré un café. (Maybe I will buy a coffee.)
• Acaso no lo hayan visto. (Perhaps they haven’t seen it.)

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Special Complements

There are some complements that have specific uses and do not fit into the previous categories. Let’s look at the two most important ones:

1. Regimen or Supplement Complement

This complement appears when the verb needs a preposition to make sense. It answers questions like in what?, with whom?, about what?. Examples:

• Confío en Paulina. (I trust Paulina.)
• Dependo de mi familia. (I depend on my family.)
• Soñé contigo. (I dreamed of you.)

2. Agent Complement

The agent complement is the one used in passive sentences and indicates who performs the action. It answers the question: by whom?. Examples:

• El jarrón fue roto por la señora. (The vase was broken by the lady.)
• La lección fue impartida por el profesor. (The lesson was taught by the teacher.)
• La película fue dirigida por Pedro Almodóvar. (The movie was directed by Pedro Almodóvar.)

Summary

Verb complements are essential for enriching our sentences in Spanish. From the direct complement to circumstantial ones, each type has a key function that makes them unique.

Practice with some examples through the Promova app and pay attention to the questions that each complement answers. With a little daily practice, you will master them quickly!